The art of Thai Massage

17/10/2014

Traditional Thai Massage (Nuat Thai) is a therapeutic technique that can be found through Thailand's history for thousands of years.

Practitioners trace their lineage to a doctor from northern India: Dr. Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha also known as Shivago in Thailand. More than 2500 years ago, he was the physician of kings, noblemen and the Buddha himself. Shivago, the “Father Doctor” as Thai people call him, visited Thailand with a group of Buddhist monks. They spread the practice of Thai massage to the monastic community as a way to soothe the muscles and ease body pain experienced after long hours of practicing meditation. Over time, this healing method was utilized as a way to aid sick and injured people within the community and evolved into a uniquely Thai medicine.

Traditional Thai medicine is a natural and holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It includes proper nutrition, physical exercise, the use of medicinal herbs and therapeutic massage. More than curing diseases, its primary goal is to maintain health and wellbeing, as ancient Thais believed that "the absence of illness is the best blessing". Massages are therapeutic as they help energy to flow through the body along ten major channels. They help preventing an obstruction in any of these channels, obstructions that are believed to create pain or diseases. The technic alternates deep pressures and muscle stretches into a rhythmic and constant flow of movements. The therapist guides your whole body into yoga-like postures by using his/her thumbs, hands, elbows, arms, knees and feet.

Nowadays, in – almost – every street of Bangkok, you can benefit from this ancestral medicine and enjoy a Thai massage. According to your mood, budget and preferences, you can choose a simple day spa in the street and just pop-in for a traditional Thai massage. Or you can prefer to indulge yourself and combine your massage with other treatments in a more high-end spa. Whatever you choose, experiencing a Thai massage may be the best memory you will keep from Thailand and nothing like you had before!